Shaq Retired

Shaq’s NBA career is over after 19 seasons. He announced his retirement earlier this afternoon on some new website (wonder if he’s an investor or if they paid him to announce it there.) Here’s my favorite on-court Shaq moment, from back when I was a Lakers’ fan (it began in 1985 when I saw my first NBA game; it ended the day Kobe shoved Shaq out.) I’ll never forget where I was watching this incredible rally: Sitting on my bed in North Carolina (had a newspaper internship in Greensboro), having just moved into an apartment.

Who could forget Shaq rapping about Kobe in June of 2008 – right after the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the Finals – and asking, “tell me how my ass taste?”

Or when Shaq ripped Vlade Divac after the Lakers beat the Kings in the playoffs? [Note: I’m a huge Vlade fan, but this is funny.]